Michelin-starred cuisine aside, explore exciting activities Chinatown has to offer!
Posted on August 5, 2020 at 12:00 PM
Chinatown may be full of heritage elements like temples, traditional herb shops and hawker centres surrounded by the skyscrapers of the Central Business District, but it’s full of history and wonders waiting to be discovered.
With so much history on the streets of Chinatown, pick one of these converted shophouse boutique hotels to bunk in for the night:
Start your afternoon with a casual stroll at Pearl's Hill City Park. Given its tranquility, you can expect to take in the sights and sounds of nature, away from the bustling city life.
Grab a bunch of snacks and relax by the pond before moving to your next activity.
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24hrs
How to get there: 7min walk from Chinatown MRT
New skills aside, some of these workshops do wonders at relieving the daily stresses of life. Explore your own creativity by making your very own tableware at The Potter’s Guilt or learn about how sounds and vibrations can boost immunity and reduce anxiety at the Sound Healing Therapy Workshop.
The Potter’s Guilt
Cost: S$80/pax for a 3-hour introductory session
Workshop Timings: Varies
How to get there: 2min walk from Pearl's Hill City Park
The Singing Bowl Gallery
Cost: From S$120/pax
Workshop Timings: Varies
How to get there: 7min walk from Telok Ayer or Chinatown MRT
If you’re not too hungry, check out these hidden hangouts that are just a two-minute walk from Chinatown. Perfect for coffee and cakes while indulging in a book.
The Moon Bookstore & Cafe
Cost: From $7/pax
Opening hours: 11AM – 6PM
How to get there: 2min walk from Chinatown MRT
Grids & Circles
Cost: From $6/pax
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
How to get there: 2min walk from Chinatown MRT
You can't beat the local favourites here in Singapore. Whether it’s bak chor mee, Michelin-starred chicken rice (Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle) or bak kut teh, we have one of the most flavourful dishes in the world — while staying affordable! Chinatown isn't lacking when it comes to delicious food, so head to one of these hawker centres for a feast!
Chinatown Complex
Cost: From S$5/pax
Opening hours: 8AM – 10:30PM
How to get there: 2min walk from Chinatown MRT
People’s Park Complex
Cost: From S$5/pax
Opening hours: 7:30AM – 10:30PM
How to get there: Just outside Chinatown MRT
Hong Lim Market and Food Centre
Cost: From S$5/pax
Opening hours: 7AM – 9PM
How to get there: 4min walk from Chinatown MRT
Here in Chinatown, your day doesn’t end at dinner. Wind (or rather wine 😉) down at Keong Saik's many cafés and bars that stretch over a mile. We recommend:
Potato Head Singapore
Cost: From S$15 for alcoholic beverages
Opening hours: 5PM – 10:30PM
How to get there: 6min walk from Outram Park MRT or Chinatown MRT
Jekyll & Hyde
Cost: From S$15
Opening hours: 4PM – 10:30PM (Tue – Fri), 11AM – 10:30PM (Sat), 11AM – 6PM (Sun), closed on Mon
How to get there: 6min walk from Outram Park MRT, 8min walk from Chinatown MRT
Little Creatures
Cost: From S$9 for alcoholic beverages
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
How to get there: 4min walk from Chinatown MRT
After a night out bar-hopping, sleep in and wake up in time for brunch! Of course, just as much as the neighbourhood of Keong Saik is lively at night, there's lots to explore in the day too. Take your pick of one of these cafés to start your day right.
Keong Saik Bakery
Cost: From S$8/pax
Opening hours: 10:30AM – 7:30PM (Tue – Sun), 10:30AM – 5PM (Mon)
How to get there: 5min walk from Outram Park MRT
The Populus
Cost: From S$18/pax
Opening hours: 9AM – 7PM, closes 9:30PM on Thu and Fri
How to get there: 3min walk from Outram Park MRT
PS.Cafe Ann Siang Hill
Cost: From S$25/pax
Opening hours: 11:30AM – 10PM
How to get there: 7min walk from Chinatown MRT
The old-time appeal of Chinatown isn’t just confined to its temples or street stalls. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find these new and hip lifestyle establishments tucked away between the age-old shophouses.